Victory for Communities When Brownfield Credit Replacement Passes House Without Limitation Amendment!

Communities and revitalization of urban areas scored a big victory this week when the House of Representatives passed the bills creating the Community Revitalization Program. After elimination of the Brownfield and Historic credits, the Legislature created a $100 million fund to replace those credits. The Community Revitalization Program, along with the Business Development Program, will tap that $100 million for projects that would have used the Brownfield, Historic, and MEGA credits. The League worked closely developing these bills in workgroups with the Legislature and governor. MORE>

State
Affairs Update

Driver Responsibility Fee Bill Protects Fire Protection Grants - Last week the Senate concurred on SB 166, a bill that would eliminate some driver responsibility fees. The League initially had concerns about funding fire protection grants, but an amendment in the House dedicates the first $8.5 million to fire protection grants, protecting them under the bill. MORE>

Public Safety Communications Legislation Advances But At What Expense? - The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology has approved legislation that would reallocate the 700MHz D Block of the spectrum to create a nationwide public safety communications network. While passage of the bill certainly advances the discussion after a long delay, it appears to do so at the expense of local control and funding. MORE>

Free Graduate Student Research and Analysis Available for Metro Detroit Communities - The University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Institute for Local Government (IFLG), in cooperation with the University’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) programs, is soliciting proposals from local government agencies interested in having a team of MPA/MPP students assist them with conducting research, analysis, and related technical assistance necessary for addressing a management or policy issue faced by that governmental body. MORE>